Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device including a cylindrically shaped core, and an overlay about the core including a plurality of shaped projections configured to enhance mobilization of soft tissue and optimize body core strength and balance training.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/827,361 filed Jul. 11, 2007, now U.S. Pat No. 7,918,774which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/831,726 filed Jul. 18, 2006, under §§119, 120, 363, 365, and37 C.F.R. §1.78 and 37 C.F.R. §1.55, which applications are incorporatedinto this divisional application by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This subject invention relates to a therapeutic, fitness and sportsenhancement device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional cylindrical foam rolls are often used for tissuemobilization, improving body core strength and balance training. Whenused for tissue mobilization, the user typically lies or sits on thecylindrical foam roll and moves back and forth to mobilize target softtissue. The benefits of soft tissue mobilization include, inter alia,decreased muscle soreness, relief from joint stress, decreasedneuromuscular hypertonicity, increased joint range motion, extensibilityof musculotendinous junctions, increased neuromuscular efficiency, andmaintenance of normal functional muscle length. These benefits enhancerecovery of injuries and also maximize sports performance and result inimproved fitness.

However, the completely cylindrical shape of a conventional foam rollminimizes the effect of tissue mobilization. Moreover, such a designoften results in the user falling off the cylindrically shaped foamroll, which is aggravating and cumbersome.

When used for body core strength and balance training, the usertypically stands or on the cylindrical foam roll device to enhancebalance; coordination and core strength. However, because the user caneasily fall off the cylindrical shaped foam roll, the effectiveness ofthe body core strength and balance training session is often minimized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancing device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which maximizes mobilization ofsoft tissue.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which enhances flexibility.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which improves body core strengthtraining.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which optimizes soft tissuedistensibility. It is a further object of this invention to provide sucha therapeutic, fitness and sports enhancement device which improvesbalance training.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which enhances recovery frominjury.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which maximizes sportsperformance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device which improves fitness.

This invention features a therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancementdevice including a cylindrically shaped body including a plurality ofshaped projections configured to enhance mobilization of soft tissue andoptimize body core strength and balance training.

In one embodiment, the plurality of shaped projections may be configuredto maximize mobilization of soft tissue to enhance flexibility. Theplurality of shaped projections may be configured to reduce movementduring body core strength and balance training. The plurality of shapedprojections may be configured to optimize soft tissue distensibility.The plurality of shaped projections may include a shape chosen from thegroup consisting of: a curved shape, a triangle shape, a square, a notchshape, a cylindrical shape with rounded ends, and cylindrical shape withflat ends. The plurality of shaped projections may longitudinally extendover a length of the body. The plurality of shaped projections mayradially extend from the body are at the same angles. The plurality ofshaped projections may radially extend from the body at differentangles. The plurality of shaped projections may be configured in a wavepattern. The plurality of shaped projections may be configured in a Zpattern. The plurality of shaped projections may be configured in ahelical pattern. The plurality of shaped projections may be individuallyspaced in a predetermined pattern over the body. The predeterminedpattern may include an aligned pattern of a plurality of shapedprojections. The predetermined pattern may include an offset pattern ofa plurality of shaped projections. The cylindrically shaped body and theplurality of shaped projections may be made of a pliable material. Thepliable material may include a closed-cell foam material. Theclosed-cell foam material may include a chemically cross-linkedpolyethylene foam. The pliable material may include a material having adensity in the range of about 2.0 lb/ft³ to about 3.8 lb/ft³. Thedensity of the pliable material may be chosen to enhance mobilization ofsoft tissue and improve body core and strength training. The density ofthe pliable material may be chosen to maximize soft tissue mobilizationand enhance flexibility. The density of the pliable material may bechosen to optimize soft tissue distensibility. The body may include aplurality of bonded sections. The body may have a length in the range ofabout 18 inches to about 36 inches. The body may have a diameter in therange of about 3 inches to about 15 inches.

This invention also features a therapeutic, fitness and sportsenhancement device including a cylindrically shaped body including aplurality of bonded sections each having a plurality of shapedprojections thereon of a predetermined type configured to enhancemobilization of soft tissue and optimize body core strength and balancetraining.

In one embodiment, the plurality of bonded sections may be bonded toeach other using a high bonding adhesive. The plurality of shapedprojections may be configured to maximize mobilization of soft tissue toenhance flexibility. The plurality of shaped projections may beconfigured to reduce movement during body core strength and balancetraining. The plurality of shaped projections may be configured tooptimize soft tissue distensibility. The plurality of shaped projectionsmay include a shape chosen from the group consisting of: a curved shape,a triangle shape, a square, a notch shape, a cylindrical shape withrounded ends, and cylindrical shape with flat ends. The plurality ofshaped projections may longitudinally extend over a length of the body.The plurality of shaped projections may radially extend from the bodyare at the same angles. The plurality of shaped projections may radiallyextend from the body at different angles. The plurality of shapedprojections may be configured in a wave pattern. The plurality of shapedprojections may be configured in a Z pattern. The plurality of shapedprojections may be configured in a helical pattern. The plurality ofshaped projections may be individually spaced in a predetermined patternover the body. The predetermined pattern may include an aligned patternof a plurality of shaped projections. The predetermined pattern mayinclude an offset pattern of a plurality of shaped projections. The bodyand the plurality of shaped projections may be made of a pliablematerial. The pliable material may include a closed-cell foam material.The closed-cell foam material may include a chemically cross-linkedpolyethylene foam. The pliable material may include a material having adensity in the range of about 2.0 lb/ft³ to about 3.8 lb/ft³. Thedensity of the pliable material may be chosen to enhance mobilization ofsoft tissue and improve body core and strength training. The density ofthe pliable material may be chosen to maximize soft tissue mobilizationand enhance flexibility. The density of the pliable material may bechosen to optimize soft tissue distensibility. The body may include aplurality of bonded sections. The body may have a length in the range ofabout 18 inches to about 36 inches. The body may have a diameter in therange of about 3 inches to about 15 inches.

This invention also features a therapeutic, fitness, and sportsenhancement device including a cylindrically shaped core and an overlayabout the core including a plurality of shaped projections configured toenhance mobilization of soft tissue and optimize body core strength andbalance training.

In one embodiment, the plurality of shaped projections may be configuredto maximize mobilization of soft tissue to enhance flexibility. Theplurality of shaped projections may be configured to reduce movementduring body core strength and balance training. The plurality of shapedprojections may be configured to optimize soft tissue distensibility.The plurality of shaped projections may include a shape chosen from thegroup consisting of: a triangle shape, a curved shape, a square shape, anotch shape, a cylindrical shape with rounded ends, and cylindricalshape with flat ends. The plurality of shaped projections may radiallyextend from the overlay at the same angle. The plurality of shapedprojections may radially extend from the overlay at different angles.The plurality of shaped projections may longitudinally extend over alength of the overlay. The plurality of shaped projections may beconfigured in a wave pattern. The plurality of shaped projections may beconfigured in a Z pattern. The plurality of shaped projections may beconfigured in a helical pattern. The plurality of shaped projections maybe individually spaced in a predetermined pattern over the body. Thepredetermined pattern may include an aligned pattern of a plurality ofshaped projections. The predetermined pattern may include an offsetpattern of a plurality of shaped projections. The core may be made of apliable material. The overlay may be made of a pliable material. Thepliable material may include a closed-cell foam material. Theclosed-cell foam material may include a chemically cross-linkedpolyethylene foam. The overlay may be made of an extruded material. Theoverlay may be made of a die cast material.

The subject invention results from the realization that a therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device that maximizes soft tissuemobilization to enhance flexibility and soft tissue distensibility andimprove body core strength and balance training is effected, in oneembodiment, with a cylindrically shaped body including a plurality ofshaped projections configured to enhance mobilization of target softtissue and provide stability to improve body core strength and balancetraining.

The subject invention, however, in other embodiments, need not achieveall these objectives and the claims hereof should not be limited tostructures or methods capable of achieving these objectives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled inthe art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective side-view of one embodiment ofthe therapeutic, fitness and sports enhancement device of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic end-view showing in further detail one example ofthe plurality of shaped projections shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another three-dimensional perspective side-view of thetherapeutic, fitness and sports enhancement device shown in FIGS. 2 and3;

FIG. 4 is a schematic end-view showing another example of the pluralityof shaped projections of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic end-view showing the plurality of shapedprojections shown in FIG. 4 extending at different angles;

FIG. 6 is a schematic end-view of another example of the plurality ofshaped projections of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic end-view of yet another example of the pluralityof shaped projections of this invention;

FIGS. 8A-8D are schematic top-views showing exemplary longitudinalpatterns of the plurality of shaped projections on the body shown inFIGS. 1-7;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic top-views showing exemplary individualpatterns of the plurality of shaped projections shown in FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional perspective side view of anotherembodiment of the therapeutic, fitness and sports enhancement device ofthis invention; and

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional perspective end view of the therapeutic,fitness and sports enhancement device shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, thisinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangements of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. If only oneembodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limitedto that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be readrestrictively unless there is clear and convincing evidence manifestinga certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer.

There is shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of therapeutic, fitness, andsports enhancement device 10 of this invention including cylindricallyshaped body 12 having a plurality of shaped projections 14 configured toenhance mobilization of target soft tissue and improve body corestrength and balance training. FIG. 2, where like parts have been givenlike numbers, shows in further detail one exemplary shape of theplurality of shaped projections 14 shown in FIG. 1. In this example, theshaped projections 14 have a rounded shape, indicated at 17. FIG. 3shows yet another view of device 10 with cylindrically shaped body 12and the rounded shape of the plurality of shaped projections 14.

In other designs, the plurality of shaped projections 14 may havetriangle-shaped, as shown in FIG. 4. In this example, the plurality ofshaped projections 14 radially extends from body 12 at the same angle.In other examples, the plurality of shaped projections 14, FIG. 5, mayradially extend from body 12 at different angles, as indicated at 20,22, and 24. In other examples, the plurality of shaped projections 14,FIG. 6, may be cylindrically shaped with rounded ends or may also becylindrically shaped with flat ends, as shown in FIG. 7.

The plurality of shaped projections 14 as shown in FIGS. 1-7 may alsolongitudinally extend over the length, l-31, FIG. 1, of body 12, e.g.,in a right angle pattern, as shown in FIG. 8A, in a helical pattern, asshown in FIG. 8B, in a wave pattern, as shown in FIG. 8C, or in a Zpattern, as shown in FIG. 8D. In other designs, the plurality of shapedprojections 14 may extend over body 12 in an individual pattern as shownin FIGS. 9A and 9B.

Preferably, each of the plurality of shaped projections 14 is configuredto maximize mobilization of soft tissue to enhance flexibility and/oroptimize soft tissue distensibility.

The result is therapeutic fitness and sports enhancement device 10 withcylindrically shaped body 12 having the plurality of shaped projections14 of this invention effectively mobilizes target soft tissue. Typicaltarget soft tissue mobilized by the plurality of shaped projections 14includes muscles, tendons, ligaments fascia of the human body and thelike. Mobilization of soft tissue by the plurality of shaped projections14 massages soft tissue and breaks up scar tissue. This increasesflexibility of soft tissue, decreases muscle soreness, relieves jointstress, decreases neuromuscular hypertonicity, increases joint rangemotion and extensibility of musculotendonous junctions, optimizes softtissue distensibility, increases neuromuscular efficiency, and helpsmaintain normal functional muscle length. These benefits enhancerecovery of injuries when used as a therapeutic tool, maximize sportsperformance, and improved fitness.

Therapeutic fitness and sports enhancement device 10 with cylindricallyshaped core 12 and the plurality of shaped projections 14 alsoeffectively provide for body core strength and balance training. This isbecause the plurality of shaped projections 14 reduces movement ofdevice 10 which help prevent the user from falling off device 10 whenperforming body core strength and balance training exercises.

In one embodiment, cylindrically shaped body 12 and the plurality ofshaped projections 14, FIGS. 1-9B, are made of a pliable material, e.g.,a closed-cell foam material, preferably a chemically, cross-linkedclosed-cell polyethylene foam, such as MINICEL® L200, L300 or L380,available from Sekisui Voltek (Lawrence, Mass.). Other similar typepliable materials and closed-cell foams known to those skilled in theart may also be utilized. To manufacture therapeutic fitness and sportsenhancement device 10, a large sheet of the pliable material is cutusing a high speed vertical band saw which forms cylindrically shapedbody 12 and the plurality of shaped projections 14 thereon.

In another embodiment, cylindrically shaped body 12, FIGS. 1-7 includesa plurality of bonded sections, e.g., sections 19, 21, 23, and 25, FIG.2, each having a plurality of shaped projections 14 thereon of apredetermined type, e.g., as shown in any of FIGS. 1-9B. Each ofsections 19, 21, 23 and 25 is similarly made of a pliable material,e.g., closed-cell polyethylene foam, such as MINICEL®L200, L300 or L380discussed above, and are bonded to each other using a high bondingadhesive. The sheets of the pliable material used for the plurality ofbonded sections, e.g., sections 19, 21, 23 and 25, typically haspredetermined width, e.g., about 2″ to 3″ , or up to 4″ up to 4 inches,although the sheets of pliable material and the resulting width ofsections 19, 21, 23 and 25 may have any width as known to those skilledin the art. The shape of the plurality of shaped projections 14 andcylindrically shaped body 12 made of sections 19, 21, 23 and 25 issimilarly formed using a high speed versatile band saw, as discussedabove.

Typically, cylindrically shaped body 12 has a diameter, d-27, FIG. 2, inthe range between about 3″ to about 15″. Cylindrically shaped body 12typically has a length, l-31, between about 18″ and 36″.

Each of the plurality of shaped projections 14, FIGS. 1-9B, preferablyradially, extends about ⅜″ to about 1″ from body 12, e.g., as shown byr-70, FIG. 2. The plurality of shaped projections 14 may radially extendmore or less than ⅜″ to about 1″ from body 12, as known to those skilledin the art.

In addition to the shape of the plurality of shaped projections 14, thedensity of the pliable material for body 12 and the plurality of shapedprojections 14 may be chosen to maximize soft tissue mobilization,improve body core and strength training, enhance flexibility, and/oroptimize soft tissue distensibility. In one example, the density of thepliable material, e.g., a closed-cell polyethylene foam such as MINICEL®L200, L300 or L380, is in the range about 2.0 to 3.8 lb/ft³.

In yet another embodiment, therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancementdevice 10′, FIG. 10 of this invention includes cylindrically shaped core12 and overlay 13 about core 12. Overlay 13 includes a plurality ofshaped projections 14, similar as discussed above with reference toFIGS. 1-9B, which are shaped to enhance mobilization of target softtissue, improve body core strength and balance training, enhanceflexibility and/or optimize soft tissue distensibility. Core 12 issimilarly made of pliable material, as discussed above, e.g., aclosed-cell polyethylene foam such as MINICEL® L200, L300 or L380.Overlay 13 is typically made of MINICEL® L200, L300 or L380 and theplurality of shaped projections 14 thereon are formed from an extrusionprocess or a die cast process or cut by a high speed foam band saw, asknown to those skilled in the art.

In one example, the plurality of projections on overlay 13, FIG. 11,radially extends about ⅜″ from overlay 13, as indicated at 28. In otherdesigns, protrusions 16 may extend more or less than ⅜″ from overlay 13as needed to maximize soft tissue mobilization, and improve balance andcore strength training, enhance flexibility and optimize soft tissuedistensibility. In this example, therapeutic fitness, and sportsenhancement device 10′, is approximately 18″ in length as indicated byl-31, FIG. 10, and has a diameter, d-27, FIG. 11, of about 6″. Device10″ may be longer or shorter than 18″ in length and have a diameterlarger or smaller than 6″, as known by those skilled in the art.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawingsand not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may becombined with any or all of the other features in accordance with theinvention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” asused herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and arenot limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodimentsdisclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the onlypossible embodiments. Other embodiments will occur to those skilled inthe art and are within the following claims.

In addition, any amendment presented during the prosecution of thepatent application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claimelement presented in the application as filed: those skilled in the artcannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literallyencompass all possible equivalents, many equivalents will beunforeseeable at the time of the amendment and are beyond a fairinterpretation of what is to be surrendered (if anything), the rationaleunderlying the amendment may bear no more than a tangential relation tomany equivalents, and/or there are many other reasons the applicant cannot be expected to describe certain insubstantial substitutes for anyclaim element amended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A two piece therapeutic, fitness, and sportsenhancement device consisting of: a first piece including an entirelycylindrically shaped core made of closed cell foam, plastic, or rubbermaterial and having a diameter of about 3 inches to about 15 inches; anda second piece including an overlay about the cylindrically shapedcore,. the overlay made of closed cell foam, plastic, or rubbermaterial, including a plurality of shaped projections extending from theoverlay, each of the plurality of shaped projections configured toextend into soft tissue of a user to enhance mobilization of soft tissueand optimize body core strength and balance training.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 in which the plurality of shaped projections are configured tomaximize mobilization of soft tissue to enhance flexibility.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 in which the plurality of shaped projections areconfigured to reduce movement during body core strength and balancetraining.
 4. The device of claim 1 in which the plurality of shapedprojections are configured to optimize soft tissue distensibility. 5.The device of claim 1 in which the plurality of shaped projectionsinclude a shape chosen from the group consisting of: a triangle shape, acurved shape, a square shape, a notch shape, a cylindrical shape withrounded ends, and cylindrical shape with flat ends.
 6. The device ofclaim 1 in which the plurality of shaped projections radially extendfrom the overlay at the same angle.
 7. The device of claim 1 in whichthe plurality of shaped projections radially extend from the overlay atdifferent angles.
 8. The device of claim 1 in which the plurality ofshaped projections longitudinally extend over a length of the overlay.9. The device of claim 8 in which the plurality of shaped projectionsare configured in a wave pattern.
 10. The device of claim 8 in which theplurality of shaped projections are configured in a Z pattern.
 11. Thedevice of claim 8 in which the plurality of shaped projections areconfigured in a helical pattern.
 12. The device of claim 1 in which theplurality of shaped projections are individually spaced in apredetermined pattern on the overlay.
 13. The device of claim 12 inwhich the predetermined pattern includes an aligned pattern of theplurality of shaped projections.
 14. The device of claim 12 in which thepredetermined pattern includes an offset pattern of the plurality ofshaped projections.
 15. The device of claim 1 in which the cylindricallyshaped core material is pliable.
 16. The device of claim 1 in which theoverlay material is pliable.
 17. The device of claim 15 in which thepliable material is the closed-cell foam material.
 18. The device ofclaim 16 in which the pliable material is the closed-cell foam material.19. The device of claim 17 in which the closed-cell foam materialincludes a chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam.
 20. The device ofclaim 18 in which the closed-cell foam material includes a chemicallycross-linked polyethylene foam.
 21. The device of claim 1 in which thematerial of the overlay is an extruded material.
 22. The device of claim1 in which the material of the overlay is a die cast.